Re-poll after polling officer was found instructing voters to "press the third button" on election day. (IE Photo)

Aizawl, Nov 29 : The first re-poll in Mizoram's electoral history completed
successfully Thursday at the Republic 1 polling station within the
Aizawl South 1 assembly constituency, with 869 of the 1104 registered
voters turning up to exercise their franchise (turnout 78.71 percent).

Joint CEO H Lalengmawia was present with other officials on the
ground to oversee the process while election watchdog Mizoram People's
Forum volunteers enforced strict conduct rules, even barring people from
shaking hands in the polling area or using cellphones.

The ECI had ordered a re-poll at this particular polling station
after a polling officer, Vicky Lalnunthara, was arrested on poll day for
instructing voters to "press the third button" on the EVM, a slot
allotted to Congress candidate Vanlalvena. An analysis later in the day
had also found discrepancies in the number of votes, entries in form 17A
and number of voter slips collected.

Besides respective party workers, party leaders including
Congress CM Lal Thanhawla, MNF President Zoramthanga and several MLA
candidates from different parties were also in the vicinity on Thursday
as polling went underway.

Meanwhile, Aizawl DEO Dr Franklin Laltinkhuma and election
officials opened the strong room at Pachhunga University College on
Thursday morning to re-check an EVM after the presiding officer of
Sihphir, within the Aizawl East 1 constituency, confessed Wednesday that
he had forgotten to erase the mock-poll entries and proceeded with
normal voting. The discrepancy is being sorted using records of the
VVPAT but final instructions from the ECI is expected.

Action is likely to be taken soon against the presiding officers
of both Republic 1 and Sihphir polling stations, officials said.